Average salary in Vermont

1 min read by Charlie Barton Last updated October 4, 2024

Learn about the average salaries and highest paying counties in Vermont

The state of Vermont, known for its scenic beauty, is also known for its high cost of living. Whether you already live in Vermont or are considering a move, understanding the financial landscape can be helpful. 

Numerous sources rank Vermont as one of the more expensive states in the country to live in. The Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator ranks Vermont as the eighth most expensive state for a family of two adults and two children. Additionally, according to the Tax Foundation, Vermont has the sixth highest state and local tax burden in the country. Accordingly, we can expect the average salaries to match up with the high cost of living. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

Average salary in Vermont by city 

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Vermont’s own cities can vary in average salary; South Burlington commands more than $85,000, while Rutland’s average sits below $45,000.  

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Vermont, which you can find ranked by size below.  

CityAverage household income
Burlington $57,218
South Burlington $86,189
Rutland $43,034
Essex $76,484
Colchester $78,297
Brattleboro $48,214
Bennington $45,907
Hartford $68,397
Milton $77,433

Average salary in Vermont by county 

Reviewing average salaries in Vermont by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Vermont by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.  

CountyAverage household income
Chittenden County $78,283
Grand Isle County $66,686
Windsor County $63,387
Washington County $66,968
Bennington County $60,642
Windham County $58,814
Lamoille County $62,364
Addison County $67,721
Orange County $61,221
Rutland County $58,790
Franklin County $63,009
Caledonia County $51,503
Orleans County $48,845
Essex County $46,263

Highest paying jobs in Vermont

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Vermont: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Occupation AreaAnnual Salary
Finance Services Director $219,750
Acute Care Physician $215,949
Primary Care Pediatrician $205,443
Primary Care Physician $202,939
Medical Staff Physician $201,561
Chief Medical Officer $201,041
Staff Physician $198,764
Family Practice Physician $198,112
Chiropractic Physician $196,104
Chief Administrative Officer $195,896
Physician $190,713
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Hospitalist $176,949
Senior Vice President Of Marketing $176,549
Vice President Of Professional Services $175,966
Physician Extender $175,753
Pain Management Physician $175,713
General Surgery Physician Assistant $174,944
Emergency Medicine, Physician Assistant $171,766
Executive Vice President Of Sales $170,279
Occupational Medicine Physician $169,819

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Vermont

What is the average salary in Vermont by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Vermont are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $49,375; householders aged 25 to 44 years old have a median income of $72,935; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $81,342; and those 65 and older have a median income of $52,312.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Vermont?
The definition of a ‘good’ salary depends on individual circumstances and the cost of living in the area. The median income in Vermont is $64,777, which can provide a comfortable lifestyle in some areas but may be insufficient in other areas with a higher cost of living.

What is the average salary in Vermont by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Vermont is $25.51.

Getting expert advice before you make significant financial decisions can really benefit you in the long term. Protect your financial future and speak to one of our financial advisors today.

Writer

Charlie Barton

Charlie Barton is a writer at Unbiased. He has been writing about personal finance and investing since 2017, with extensive knowledge of platforms and products. Charlie has a first-class degree from the London School of Economics.